Helen P. Roberts

1924 - 2018

COOPERSTOWN – Helen “Pat” Roberts, a long-time resident of Cooperstown, died April 12, 2018, at Absolut Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Endicott. She was 93.

Born May 28, 1924, in Lowville, Pat was the daughter of John and Anna (Kosdemba) Paterek. After graduating from high school, she attended nursing school and became a Registered Nurse. She moved to Cooperstown and was employed for many years at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. 

Soon after she came to Cooperstown she met Lloyd A. Roberts who was working as a room clerk and bookkeeper at The Cooper Inn and The Otesaga Hotel. On April 19, 1952, Pat and Lloyd were united in marriage at a ceremony in Roxbury. 

During her years in Cooperstown, Pat served as a caregiver to young and old alike for several area families. A faithful and devoted member of the Cooperstown United Methodist Church, Pat was a member of the United Methodist Women. She especially enjoyed quilting and knitting and was a member of Prayerfully Made, a knitting group at the Clark Sports Center. Pat also volunteered her time with the Bassett Auxiliary. 

Pat is survived by one son, Donald Roberts, and a granddaughter, Chelsea.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd, who died October 22, 1992, and their son, Timothy John Roberts, who died unexpectedly July 4, 1996, in Germany at the age of 42.

A Memorial Service will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018, at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church. A coffee hour will be served in the Fellowship Room following the service. All who remember Pat are encouraged to attend this celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Memorial Fund of the Cooperstown United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY  13326.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting Pat’s church family. 


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Charlotte R. Kniskern

1923 - 2018

COOPERSTOWN – Charlotte R. Kniskern, a native of Cooperstown and long-time resident of Lake Street, passed away Wednesday morning, October 17, 2018, at Teresian House in Albany. She was 95.

Born September 18, 1923, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Charlotte was the only child of Charles A. and Katherine R. (Tierney) Kniskern.

After graduating from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1941, she attended Cazenovia College and graduated in 1943. A Registered Nurse, Charlotte was first employed at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and then Faxton Hospital in Utica. She moved back to her native Cooperstown and for many years served as nurse anesthetist at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital.

Charlotte is survived by several cousins. 

A graveside service will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 23, 2018, in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Fly Creek where Charlotte will be laid to rest alongside her parents. Rev’d David Wm. Mickiewicz, Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta will officiate. 

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to Teresian House Foundation, 200 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY  12203.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. 


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Roger W. Newell

1948 - 2018

MESQUITE, TEXAS – Roger William Newell, a native of Cooperstown, passed away October 5, 2018, in Mesquite, Texas following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 70.

Born July 6, 1948, in Cooperstown, he was the son of Roger Gavin Newell and Edna Louise Bliss Newell. After graduating from Cooperstown Central School with the Class of 1966, he attended Stony Brook University on Long Island, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history. 

Since 1979, he had been a resident of the Dallas, Texas area and for 39 years was employed there as an engineer. A quiet man, he was very involved with amateur (ham) radio with his brother-in-law Craig and nephew Christopher. 

Roger is survived by his mother, Louise Newell of Pompano Beach, Florida; his wife, Teresa of Mesquite, Texas; his son, Colonel Matthew Newell, USAF and his wife, Tiffany, and their children, Brody and Rowan of Missouri; two sisters, JoAnn  Dow (John Schallert) of Cooperstown and Cheryl  Phillips (Craig Phillips) of Herkimer; two step daughters, Amy and Kim; step grandchildren and great grandchildren; and other family members.

He was predeceased by his father, Roger G. Newell of Cooperstown, who died May 30, 2008.

Graveside services were held October 10, 2018, at Strong Cemetery in Henderson, Texas.

Donations in Roger’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting the family locally. 


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Phyllis Basile

1928 - 2018

COOPERSTOWN – Phyllis Basile, 90, passed away at Midnight on Friday, September 28, 2018, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. 

Born August 4, 1928, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Queens, she was one of seven children of Mauro and Marie (Croce) Maiorino. 

Raised in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, Phyllis met and fell in love with another native of Queens, Joseph F. Basile, and they were married May 29, 1949, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church in Far Rockaway. They spent their honeymoon in Atlantic City and liked it so much they returned there many times during their 63 years of marriage.

In 1972 the Basiles moved to Hartwick, and she became the bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Joe Basile Speciality Millwork based in Index, which he opened in 1978.

When she was younger she knitted and crocheted many items, and throughout her life she never passed up the chance for a good card game and always enjoyed reading. She will especially be remembered for her love of shopping.

Phyllis will be greatly missed by her children, Alan P. Basile and wife, Peggy, of Cooperstown, and Joann M. Zeh and husband, Bernie, of Hartwick; a daughter-in-law, Claudia D. Basile of Index; seven grandchildren, John Basile and wife, Jennifer, Katherine Basile, Joe Basile and wife, Erica, Bernie Zeh III and wife, Kate, Christopher Zeh, Dominick Zeh and Michelle Zeh and husband, Cole; and four great granddaughters, Kaylee Basile, Rebecca and Raelynn Ryon and Isabella Zeh.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Basile, who died December 9, 2012, a son, Michael Joseph Basile, who died January 18, 2014, and all of her siblings.

Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018. At 6:30 p.m., a service will be offered in the funeral home, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church, Cooperstown, presiding.

As an alternative to flowers, those who so desire may direct memorial donations to Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2, 4877 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY  13326. 

Funeral arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.  


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.